imdocrob

I would definitely protect them from a freeze. It is my understanding if the corm freezes even just once then the plant will not produce fruit. If you leave them in the ground I would protect the base of the trees with heavy mulch and chicken wire around them. If they are that small though there is no benifit to leaving them in the ground. Dig them up, clear the rootball and let them lay dormant in your garage over the winter. I am in zone 8 as well and found that last year I lost several plants due to moisture build up around the corm. I have a greenhouse this year so hopefully won't have that problem. I feel your better off to dig up and store than leave in the ground and risk freeze or even rot.